Commuting - flashlight headlights

i read about some of you guys liking flashlight headlights.would some of you talk to me about them. are they make shift? is there a setup just for a bicycles? i think i would like the dual set. where can i buy them? is there something else better? all comments or suggestions will be appreciated.
thanks for the help.

A regular flashlight and a bungey cord (or duct tape) will make a makeshift light that will get you home in a pinch. One such rig is described in John Allen's Bicycling Street Smarts (see

http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm).

There are a few commercial rigs that use a flashlight or mag-lite type of device, which can clamp to your handlebars. I have one from Cannondale that I got for backup use, but it rides mostly in the trunk bag now as a backup flashlight for various and sundry purposes out on the road.

As always, your mileage may vary from mine...

https://www.fenix-store.com/

A very popular flashlight as bike light amongst commuters (I have the L2D). The site sells a handle bar mount as well. I use it in combination with a Cateye flashing light for extra visibility.

https://www.fenix-store.com/

A very popular flashlight as bike light amongst commuters (I have the L2D). The site sells a handle bar mount as well. I use it in combination with a Cateye flashing light for extra visibility.

+1

I bought nine of the TwoFish bicycle light mounts and nine smallish LED flashlights.

The TwoFish mounts use a formed rubber mounting post and velcro straps to hold the light to the bars. No adjustments possible other than the flexibility of the mounting rubber, so if you have big diameter handlebars or a big diameter flashlight, you might be screwed.

Total cost = $10.00 for the mount and the light. I think it is great - better than anything you will find bike-specific for five times that price.

It works well in the quick trials. I will use it for a couple of weeks and post a review.

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=273

I've been using a Fenix L2D flashlight for about a year, and it works great. It is so bright that I doubt if you would need two of them unless you have unusual needs. The whole set up with the flashlight, handlebar mount and batteries only costs about $70. It uses rechargeable AA batteries that are inexpensive and easy to find. The Two Fish handlebar mount works well, although it can slip when you hit bumps if not tightened down enough. Fenix also sells another handlebar mount that will tighten to the handlebars but I haven't tried it.

I use my Fenix when riding in daylight as well as dark. It is great for getting noticed in traffic, and cars never pull out in front of me in traffic. You can tell that they notice the light.

I use one L2d and it is great. At times I outrun the useful range of light, but that can be mitigated by slowing down.

I bought an Ultrafire WF 502b ($18) and a R2 drop in ($12) that I use ziptied to my helmet when I get caught out in the dark. I've actually been going on some night rides lately because it's alot cooler and 200+ lumens is insanely bright, especially when you can point it where you want it on your head. The initial investment of some 18650 rechargables and charger have been well worth it, imo. My wife is loving the light too!

www.dealextreme.com (http://www.dealextreme.com)

Many ppl use flashy's for bike lights, including myself. Try posting/searching here: http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=259

i read about some of you guys liking flashlight headlights.would some of you talk to me about them. are they make shift? is there a setup just for a bicycles? i think i would like the dual set. where can i buy them? is there something else better? all comments or suggestions will be appreciated.
thanks for the help.

with a maglite type of flashlight... you could use 2 hose clamps to attach to the handlebars...
I have a stem extension so I actually use 2 hose clamps to hold a small 1/2 inch pvc pipe and put on two
cheapo schwinn lights that I bought from walmart... but you could also attach the maglites to that to
create a dual headlights system similarly...

I like it because you can "stagger" the lights by having them point in slightly different target areas so that you get better coverage...

Yes, IMO one might just be better off ,and safer, with a flashlight rig than any AA wimpy butt
headlight. :notamused:

A very elegant way to use a flashlight as a headlight from Velo-orange.
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-84224226242177_2014_10011529

http://www.velo-orange.com/index.html

Yes, IMO one might just be better off ,and safer, with a flashlight rig than any AA wimpy butt
headlight. :notamused:

WTF is up with this? -> :notamused: Most flashlights do not have a blinking function,which is pretty freakin' useful for getting noticed in city traffic. And I've looked at those Fenix lights. $52+ for something that doesn't have the battery life of my EL320,and then I have to pay extra(or rig up) a handlebar mount. My 320 is plenty bright for side streets and MUP's,came with a mount,needs the batteries changed only every other month,and set me back just $35. And you can walk into a shop and buy one,no need to wait a week for the mail.

If those Fenix lights are working for you guys,then great. But saying you'll be safer with one than with a headlight is just bunk. I'd hate to have some noob check out this thread and think they need to drop buck$ on one of these things and/or have to wait for one to come in the mail.

BTW,aren't those uber bright Dinottes AA headlights?

bought a SolarForce tactical flashlight off eBay - 220 lumens, low/high/strobe/SOS, 2xCR123A rechargeable batteries and charger for $60. Used an innertube to mount it. Have a cateye EL530 as a backup because the lithium batteries tend to cut out instead of going dim like AA.

Fenix TK11, but make your own mount. Took five minutes by picking up a quickcam mount.

WTF is up with this? -> :notamused: Most flashlights do not have a blinking function,which is pretty freakin' useful for getting noticed in city traffic.

MTE SSC P7 900-Lumen 5-Mode Super LED Flashlight.
Brighter than DOT and CE headlights on high power and extended run time in low and medium power modes. Has flash and SOS modes as well. $44.52 with free shipping.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12060

http://www.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_12060_1.jpg

I just bought a Coleman Max AA 115 Lumen flashlight from Walmart ($25) and although I have not taken it out on rides yet, it definitely seems like it will be bright enough. Right now I have it attached to my helmet by a few rubber bands. I also bought a Cat Eye EL210 to use on flashing mode.

I have a very bright Cree Q5 LED flashlight on my helmet. It is attached with rubber bands. It takes 2 AA batteries (alkaline or rechargeable), has strobe modes, and is small and light weight.

http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.942

I bought an Ultrafire WF 502b ($18) and a R2 drop in ($12) that I use ziptied to my helmet when I get caught out in the dark. I've actually been going on some night rides lately because it's alot cooler and 200+ lumens is insanely bright, especially when you can point it where you want it on your head. The initial investment of some 18650 rechargables and charger have been well worth it, imo. My wife is loving the light too!

www.dealextreme.com (http://www.dealextreme.com)

thanks for the heads up on this... i'm gonna have to order one or three :lol:

I have a variety of Cateye bicycle headlights and they all fit on all of the various mounts that they came with over a span of a decade or so. Now, that's utility.

I just picked up a Leatherman Monarch 500 for $29. Its brighter then my 3Dcell mag light. 145 lumen's.

It doesn't have the cool strobe feature of the Fenix but I am pretty happy with it for the price.
The bike forums equivalent of the flashlight world. (who knew?)

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=182032

I have a 2D LED maglite that I bought from home depot and mounted to my handlebars. It has a long battery life and is durable with an adjustable beam.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj64/m_yates/flashlight2.jpg


It worked well earlier in the year when the days were shorter. It is a little heavy and bulky, but works well. I haven't been carrying it over the summer. I bought a 2-pack of 3 watt LED lights from Sam's club for ~$30 that are much smaller. I plan on mounting those in the fall.

Just about any type of flashlight can be mounted using the right size conduit hangers and rubber strips (from tubes) for protecting handlebars.

A very elegant way to use a flashlight as a headlight from Velo-orange.
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-84224226242177_2014_10011529

http://www.velo-orange.com/index.html

I was looking at the pic wrong and thought that was the back wheel, I'm like "why does he want to irritate people behind him?

And to chime in, I'm rocking the Fenix L2D with the Fenix bike mount. The lock blocks are probably better but the Fenix mount is decent except for being a little big and having some wobble between the angle adjustments. Just the one L2D is good for most cases in turbo mode and high mode in some cases as well. The only time I find it lacks a bit is during that transition from light to dark with intermittant street lights.

A very elegant way to use a flashlight as a headlight from Velo-orange.
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-84224226242177_2014_10011529

http://www.velo-orange.com/index.html

Is that really secure? It looks like it could just fly off during a bump.

Also, if you got the cash and need a REALLY bright flashlight:
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/inova_t4.htm
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/img/inova_t4/inova_t4_001.jpg

175 lumens! And it's rechargeable! And for comparison, that Fenix L2D is only rated for 80-135 lumens! :lol:

175 lumens! And it's rechargeable! And for comparison, that Fenix L2D is only rated for 80-135 lumens! :lol:

L2d tosses out around 180 lumens with the Q5 Premium.

I use one as a back up, but it can also come in handy when I have a flat at night. It's a 3W LED that I bought from Sams in a 2 pack. ITs bright enough to light the way, and has decent battery life

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/pkhakes/Bikes/commie/April2880245.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/pkhakes/Bikes/commie/April2880244.jpg

I just bought a Coleman Max AA 115 Lumen flashlight from Walmart ($25) and although I have not taken it out on rides yet, it definitely seems like it will be bright enough. Right now I have it attached to my helmet by a few rubber bands. I also bought a Cat Eye EL210 to use on flashing mode.


Yes, IMO one might just be better off ,and safer, with a flashlight rig than any AA wimpy butt
headlight. :notamused:

I actually prefer a combination of lights. One blinkie, plus one or two moderately priced mid-level lights. The blinkie for attention-getting, and the other lights for seeing the road.

Having multiple lights gives you a redundancy you can't get w/ a multi-stage single "uber" light. It won't help you if the batteries run flat, or it falls off the bike, or something else goes wrong. It also allows you to "shape" the beam - you can see some examples here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=441808) (as well as pics of the Coleman at night for Wildcatnj) of creating a pattern vs a single bright area. :)